Thanks for this, people really don't take it seriously, they think it's so easy to get over when it's actually very crippling. many people who are depressed don't like to speak up about it because they get accused of being crazy and ostracized by society. people take it lightly and nobody understands. I suffer from depression and when i explain it to others, they think it's so easy to fix. I often get told that I have everything going for me and asked why am I depressed. My father, he's from Jamaica and he just doesnt understand mental illness. When I told him about robin Williams suicide, he said, "why? He's a comedian." He doesn't tend to get so deeply involved in "feelings" and feels being emotional wastes time and is unproductive,asks where does one find time to be depressed when one has so many things to do. He's not mean, I think he just grew up this way.

I've heard that one before from my mother numerous times. West Indians all have the same mentality when it comes to this.

Alot of Caribbean people do not consider mental illness real until they see walking in the street naked on your headtop. sad but true you gotta be on the deep end before they take you seriously. Mental illness run in my family. I've had two older cousins go crazy. My grandma always told me to be careful about who I let in my life an what I allow people to put me through =. And when things started spiraling with an ex of mine I was like f that. Im out!

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1000% Truth. That same exact thing happened to this guy I know about 3 months ago.

They came home to find him pacing in front of his house stripping off his clothes & talking to himself.

He spent 3 days in the hospital & then went back home. His family still hasn't grasped the severity of his condition

Thanks for this, people really don't take it seriously, they think it's so easy to get over when it's actually very crippling. many people who are depressed don't like to speak up about it because they get accused of being crazy and ostracized by society. people take it lightly and nobody understands. I suffer from depression and when i explain it to others, they think it's so easy to fix. I often get told that I have everything going for me and asked why am I depressed. My father, he's from Jamaica and he just doesnt understand mental illness. When I told him about robin Williams suicide, he said, "why? He's a comedian." He doesn't tend to get so deeply involved in "feelings" and feels being emotional wastes time and is unproductive, asks where does one find time to be depressed when one has so many things to do. He's not mean, I think he just grew up this way.

Alot of Caribbean people do not consider mental illness real until they see walking in the street naked on your headtop. sad but true you gotta be on the deep end before they take you seriously. Mental illness run in my family. I've had two older cousins go crazy. My grandma always told me to be careful about who I let in my life an what I allow people to put me through =. And when things started spiraling with an ex of mine I was like f that. Im out!

Some get PMS but I fall into a chemical imbalance which causes depression and if I don't act upon it, it can be long lasting.

Many women with this condition use the meds as I did for a few years but the meds caused me to gain weight so I had to learn how to handle it myself.

I workout to get those endorphins going and keep busy because an active mind and body are my best defensenes against my monthly bouts with manic depression. Green and hibiscus teas, a vitamin/mineral regimen and medical grade marijuana all help me stay focused.

I think anyones capable of falling into depression but not everyone can get out of it and some forms arent as severe. I feel it when stressed and overwhelmed. I feel it moreso in the winter. As a result i usually have bad insomnia.

As an outsider trying to help someone in it deeply u almost have to seek help yourself in order to protect yourself mentally. Also as a guide to how to be supportive to someone who is depressed.

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